Polymorphous adenocarcinoma of the breast: A case report

Abstract

We report a patient with polymorphous adenocarcinoma of the breast. Polymorphous adenocarcinoma of the breast is a rare tumour that corresponds to polymorphous adenocarcinoma in the salivary gland. The tumour consisted of a unimorphous population of one type of neoplastic cells with hyperchromatic, pleomorphic nuclei. Neoplastic cells were arranged in various architectural patterns including solid pattern, trabecular pattern and single “Indian-file“ arrangement with myxoid stroma in between. Tumour cells were negative for Estrogen, Progesterone, Her-2/neu, Smooth Muscle Actin, Cytokeratin 5/6, Cytokeratin 7, Synaptophysin and Chromogranin, while Cytokeratin AE1/AE3 (Pankeratin), BCL2 and E-cadherin were positive and p63 partially positive. Polymorphous adenocarcinoma is a rare and salivary gland-type tumour with only three cases reported up to date. To the best of our knowledge this is the fourth case of a polymorphous adenocarcinoma of the breast reported in the english literature.

Keywords

Polymorphous adenocarcinoma / Breast cancer / Salivary gland cancer / Immunohistochemistry

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE

There is no conflict of interest.

References

[1] Evans HL, Batsakis JG. Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma of minor salivary glands. A study of 14 cases of a distinctive neoplasm. Cancer. 1984 Feb 15; 53(4): 935-42. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(19840215)53:4＜935::AID-CNCR2820530420＞3.0.CO;2-V

[2] Darling MR, Schneider JW, Phillips VM. Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma: a review and comparison of immunohistochemical markers. Oral Oncol. 2002 Oct; 38(7): 641-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1368-8375(02)00003-9

[3] Freedman PD, Lumerman H. Lobular carcinoma of intraoral minor salivary gland origin. Report of twelve cases. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1983 Aug; 56(2): 157-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-4220(83)90282-7

[4] Batsakis JG, Pinkston GR, Luna MA, et al. Adenocarcinomas of the oral cavity: a clinicopathologic study of terminal duct carcinomas. J Laryngol Otol. 1983 Sep; 97(9): 825-35. PMid:6886543. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022215100095062

[5] Asioli S, Marucci G, Ficarra G, et al. Polymorphous adenocarcinoma of the breast. Report of three cases. Virchows Arch. 2006; 448: 29-34. PMid:16220292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-005-0084-2

[6] Pia-Foschini M, Reis-Filho JS, Eusebi V, et al. Salivary glandlike tumours of the breast: surgical and molecular pathology. J Clin Pathol. 2003 Jul; 56(7): 497-506. PMid:12835294. https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.56.7.497